As with any type of car accident, when you get injured in a rear-end collision in Alabama, determining who was at fault is critical for making informed decisions. If your rear-end collision was the other driver’s fault—or if it resulted from a brake failure or another vehicle-related issue—you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. But, to assert your legal rights, you first need to know what type of claim (or claims) to file, and this starts with determining who was at fault in the accident.
The legal process can be overwhelming. The experienced attorneys at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC are committed to helping accident victims move forward after a devastating injury. We will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. We take pride not in the quantity of cases we handle, but in the difference we make in the lives of those we serve.
So, who is at fault in a rear-end collision?
The Driver Who Does the Rear-Ending is Usually at Fault
In most cases, the driver who does the rear-ending will be at fault. While there are some excuses for running into the back of another vehicle (as we discuss below), these excuses only apply in exceptional circumstances. Instead, the driver who does the rear-ending will usually be at fault due to a mistake such as:
- Assuming that the driver in front will run a red light or stop sign
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued (or falling asleep behind the wheel)
- Failing to brake in time to avoid a collision
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Losing control of the vehicle
- Misjudging distance or the amount of room needed to stop safely
- Most work zone crashes are rear-end collisions, resulting from speeding or inattentive driving.
These are just examples. Many other all-too-common driving mistakes can (and do) cause rear-end collisions as well. If you got rear-ended, our lawyers can determine whether the driver who hit you was at fault; and, if so, we can handle your auto insurance claim on your behalf.
But, There Are Exceptions
While the following driver will usually be at fault in a rear-end collision, there are exceptions. For example, the driver in front could be deemed at fault if he or she slammed on the brakes for no reason. Or, in the case of a multi-vehicle pileup, any of the drivers involved in the accident could potentially be deemed at fault depending on the circumstances leading up to the collision.
If you rear-ended another vehicle and you believe that you were not at fault in the collision, our lawyers can assist you in this scenario as well. If another driver is responsible for causing the crash, we can determine what evidence is available to prove it, and then we can use this evidence to seek just compensation on your behalf. We can determine if any non-driver-related factors were involved as well—as these factors could also provide grounds to seek just compensation for your accident-related losses.
Vehicle Manufacturers and Other Parties Can Be Deemed at Fault in Some Cases, Too
Regardless of whether you were driving (or riding in) the vehicle in front or the vehicle that did the rear-ending, you could also have a claim based on something other than driver negligence. For example, along with the factors listed above, other potential causes of rear-end collisions include:
- Brake failures and braking system defects
- Electrical failures
- Engine failures
- Inadequate roadway lighting
- Gravel, debris, and other roadway hazards
- Poorly timed traffic signals
- Tire failures and blowouts
Here, too, these are just examples. When you need to seek financial compensation after a rear-end collision, it is important to work with an experienced lawyer who can examine all possibilities for helping you recover just compensation. Not all law firms handle product liability cases involving brake failures and other vehicle-related and road-related issues, so you will want to make sure you choose a law firm that can help you regardless of who (or what) was at fault in your rear-end collision.
Determining Fault in a Rear-End Collision
To determine who (or what company) was at fault in your rear-end collision, our lawyers will conduct a comprehensive investigation. To make sure we can collect as much evidence as possible, it is important that you contact us right away. Once you get in touch, we will get to work immediately; and, once we have determined what claim (or claims) you can file, we will help you make informed decisions about how best to proceed.
Discuss Your Rear-End Collision with a Lawyer in Alabama for Free
If you were injured in a rear-end collision in Alabama, we strongly encourage you to contact us so that we can help you seek just compensation for your accident-related losses. We handle rear-end collision cases statewide.
Contact Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC today online or at 844-654-6228 for a FREE case evaluation. With offices in Dothan and Mobile, Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC represents accident victims throughout Alabama.
